John 2:23 kjv
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
John 2:23 nkjv
Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did.
John 2:23 niv
Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name.
John 2:23 esv
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing.
John 2:23 nlt
Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him.
John 2 23 Cross References
Verse | Text | Reference (Point) |
---|---|---|
Jn 3:2 | This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that... | Nicodemus acknowledges Jesus' signs |
Jn 6:26 | Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me... | Seeking signs/food, not spiritual truth |
Jn 4:48 | So Jesus said to him, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not... | Belief conditional on seeing signs |
Mt 12:38-39 | Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, "Teacher... | Demand for signs, but none given |
Lk 11:29-30 | When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, "This generation... | Sign of Jonah |
Acts 8:13 | Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued... | Simon Magus believed due to signs |
Dt 13:1-5 | If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you... | Signs can be used by false prophets |
Mt 7:22-23 | On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy... | Performing works not equal to knowing God |
Is 53:1 | Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm... | Prophecy of unbelief despite testimony |
Jn 6:64 | But there are some of you who do not believe." (For Jesus knew from... | Jesus knows true believers and rejecters |
1 Cor 1:22 | For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, | Jewish expectation of signs |
2 Thes 2:9-10 | The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all... | Deception by lying wonders |
Ex 7:3 | But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs... | Hearts can remain hard despite signs |
Mk 16:17-18 | And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they... | Signs for authenticating believers |
Heb 2:4 | While God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles... | God's witness through signs |
Jn 10:25 | Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works... | Works testify about Jesus' identity |
Jn 14:11 | Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me, or else... | Believe for the works' sake |
Acts 2:22 | "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested... | Jesus attested by miracles |
Acts 4:16 | saying, "What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign... | Signs cannot be denied by opponents |
Rom 1:20 | For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his... | God's invisible attributes seen in creation |
Jn 7:31 | Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, "When the Christ... | Many in crowds believing due to signs |
Jn 12:37 | Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not... | Unbelief despite seeing many signs |
John 2 verses
John 2 23 Meaning
At the time of Passover in Jerusalem, during the significant annual festival, a substantial number of people began to believe in Jesus as they witnessed the various miraculous signs He performed. Their belief was largely predicated on these visible displays of power rather than a deep spiritual understanding of His true identity and mission.
John 2 23 Context
This verse serves as a transition point in John's Gospel, bridging Jesus' first public miracle (turning water into wine at Cana) and His symbolic cleansing of the Temple in Jerusalem with His subsequent interactions. The Passover festival drew vast numbers of Jewish pilgrims to Jerusalem, creating a potent setting for public revelation. At this time, Messianic expectations were high, and many believed the Messiah would perform powerful signs, echoing the miracles of Moses. The temple cleansing, in particular, was a sign of authority, reinforcing popular expectation for a powerful leader, which then contributed to the crowd's belief based on signs, setting the stage for Jesus' deeper teaching to Nicodemus regarding true faith and new birth in John Chapter 3.
John 2 23 Word analysis
- Now when he was: (Greek: Hōs de en - ὡς δὲ ἦν) Indicates the narrative transition to Jerusalem, connecting to the previous events and establishing the new setting and timing.
- in Jerusalem: The capital of Judea and the heart of Jewish religious life, particularly during major feasts. This city was central to Israel's covenant history and prophetic expectations for the Messiah's appearance and reign.
- at the Passover: (Greek: en tō pascha - ἐν τῷ πάσχα) A pivotal annual feast commemorating the liberation of Israel from Egypt. It carries deep theological significance for Jesus as the true Lamb of God, whose sacrifice liberates from sin.
- in the feast day: (Greek: en tē heortē - ἐν τῇ ἑορτῇ) This phrase emphasizes that Jesus was present throughout the duration of the entire festival, which would last several days beyond the initial Passover meal, allowing for extended public engagement and observation of His activities.
- many: (Greek: polloi - πολλοὶ) Indicates a large number, suggesting a significant popular reception to Jesus at this early stage of His ministry, driven by the impressive signs He performed.
- believed: (Greek: episteusan - ἐπίστευσαν) An aorist tense verb, denoting a distinct act or decision of belief. In John's Gospel, "to believe" (pisteyō) is used with nuance; it can signify different levels of faith, from genuine, saving trust to a superficial acknowledgement based solely on outward evidence. Here, the immediate context (seeing signs) and subsequent verses (Jesus not entrusting Himself to them) suggest a non-saving, preliminary belief.
- in his name: (Greek: eis to onoma autou - εἰς τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ) To believe "in His name" often implies believing in His very person, authority, and identity. However, in this specific context, combined with "seeing miracles," it points to a belief in His powerful works and perhaps His status as a prophetic figure or Messiah, rather than a full commitment to His redemptive purpose or spiritual teaching. It reflects an acknowledgement of His power.
- when they saw: (Greek: theōrountes - θεωροῦντες) A present participle, meaning "while observing" or "as they were gazing upon." It highlights that their belief was an immediate, reactive response directly tied to their visual experience of His deeds. The emphasis is on outward observation.
- the miracles: (Greek: ta sēmeia - τὰ σημεῖα) John distinctively uses "signs" rather than other Greek words for miracles (like dynameis - powers). This highlights that these were not just supernatural acts but intended as indicators or pointers to Jesus' divine identity and mission, serving as testimony to who He truly is. However, many in the crowd saw only the spectacular deed, missing the deeper spiritual meaning it conveyed.
- which he did: (Greek: ha epoiei - ἃ ἐποίει) The imperfect tense suggests a series of actions, implying that Jesus performed multiple signs throughout His time at the Passover feast, contributing to the growing public notice and the subsequent "belief."
Words-group analysis:
- "in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day": This phrase precisely pinpoints the strategic location and highly significant timing of Jesus' initial public manifestations of power in Judea. Passover attracted a massive, religiously attentive audience, ideal for demonstrating His messianic credentials.
- "many believed in his name when they saw the miracles which he did": This entire clause explains the nature and foundation of the people's belief. It emphasizes that their faith was primarily stimulus-response—they believed because they saw signs. This sets up the critical distinction for John between true spiritual conviction and a more superficial, miracle-dependent adherence.
John 2 23 Bonus section
The concept of "signs" (sēmeia) in John is crucial. Unlike simple miracles, John portrays Jesus' acts as revealing His identity as the Christ. Yet, here we see the audience stopping at the sign itself, not grasping the ultimate reality it points to. This superficial belief of "many" creates a poignant contrast with the individual journey of figures like Nicodemus in the following chapter, who seeks deeper truth. This highlights a recurrent theme throughout the Gospel: the difference between intellectual assent based on external evidence and genuine, transformative faith. This also indirectly polemicizes against those in Jewish society who overemphasized the external validation of miracles above the internal, spiritual transformation necessary for true knowledge of God and His Messiah.
John 2 23 Commentary
John 2:23 describes a broad, initial wave of popularity for Jesus, rooted in the compelling nature of His "signs." During the bustling Passover in Jerusalem, His demonstrations of divine power drew a significant following. This passage sets a crucial theological distinction that John's Gospel repeatedly addresses: the difference between faith that acknowledges power or validates claims, and a truly transformative faith that rests in Jesus' person and salvific work. The "belief" described here, though widespread, is inherently shallow; it's a response to outward spectacle, not inward regeneration. It lacks the depth of spiritual commitment or understanding, thus preparing the reader for Jesus' reluctance to "entrust himself" to these believers in the very next verse, knowing their hearts. This discerning knowledge highlights that while signs draw attention and validate His claims, they are insufficient to cultivate a lasting, genuine relationship with God without spiritual understanding.